30-60-90 Day Plan

An action plan that outlines the goals and behaviors an individual wants to achieve and adopt during the first three months or 90 days on the job

Author: Patrick Curtis
Patrick Curtis
Patrick Curtis
Private Equity | Investment Banking

Prior to becoming our CEO & Founder at Wall Street Oasis, Patrick spent three years as a Private Equity Associate for Tailwind Capital in New York and two years as an Investment Banking Analyst at Rothschild.

Patrick has an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School and a BA in Economics from Williams College.

Reviewed By: Kevin Henderson
Kevin Henderson
Kevin Henderson
Private Equity | Corporate Finance

Kevin is currently the Head of Execution and a Vice President at Ion Pacific, a merchant bank and asset manager based Hong Kong that invests in the technology sector globally. Prior to joining Ion Pacific, Kevin was a Vice President at Accordion Partners, a consulting firm that works with management teams at portfolio companies of leading private equity firms.

Previously, he was an Associate in the Power, Energy, and Infrastructure Investment Banking group at Lazard in New York where he completed numerous M&A transactions and advised corporate clients on a range of financial and strategic issues. Kevin began his career in corporate finance roles at Enbridge Inc. in Canada. During his time at Enbridge Kevin worked across the finance function gaining experience in treasury, corporate planning, and investor relations.

Kevin holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Queen's University and is a CFA Charterholder.

Last Updated:December 1, 2023

What is the 30-60-90 Day Plan?

A 30-60-90 day plan is an action plan that outlines the goals and behaviors an individual wants to achieve and adopt during the first three months or 90 days on the job. 

Creating this type of plan allows individuals to set clear goals and objectives while paving the path for a smoother transition into the role. As the months progress, goals and objectives should become more intricate, reflecting that individuals have settled into their roles.

Putting together this type of plan can take some time and research, but it demonstrates to current or future employers that you are committed to the team and organization. It also makes a good impression. 

The plan should be individualized for each job and person to get the most value. Some common things people incorporate are priorities, vision for that period, and measurable goals. 

It is essential to attach some metrics to your goal to have a way to review and assess your progress.

Key Takeaways

  • A 30-60-90 day plan is a strategic roadmap that outlines an individual's goals and actions during the first three months on a new job, demonstrating commitment and setting clear objectives for personal and professional growth.
  • Implement the plan during job interviews to stand out and showcase commitment, self-motivation, and a strong work ethic.
  • Develop the plan before starting a new job or within the first week to ensure a smooth integration into the company.

When To Make a 30-60-90 Day Plan

30-60-90 day plans can be used for various situations, but the most prominent ones would be: 

1. During or prepping for a job interview

Bringing a 30-60-90 day plan to an interview or just hashing one out is a good way to stand out from other candidates and be memorable. 

The plan does not need to be elaborate to impress the interviewer or hiring manager. It's the thought that counts. Presenting a clear-cut plan you intend to execute communicates much about the candidate.

Presenting a well-thought-out plan highlights to the hiring manager or interviewer that you are: 

  • Serious about the job
  • Committed to succeeding
  • Self-motivated
  • Possess a strong work ethic 

By prepping a plan before the interview, candidates can provide a tangible response to common interview questions and touch on specific criteria an interviewer might assess them on. For example: 

  • Why do you think you will be a good fit? 

  • Will the candidate be able to perform to the company's standards? 

  • Will the candidate be able to adopt company norms and smoothly transition? 

  • Does the candidate understand the role and the responsibilities associated with it? 

2. Before starting a new job or within the first week 

If you haven't already created the 30-60-90 day plan before interviewing with the company, you have the opportunity to do it after receiving the job offer or during the first week on the job.

This can help you become more comfortable starting a new job and, ultimately, have a smooth integration into the company.  

Creating this type of plan is typically done independently for personal use. However, managers may also request employees to prepare a similar plan before starting the job.

This will give your manager an idea of your goals and what timeline you think is suitable. Furthermore, they can address problems and provide suggestions so your timeline better aligns with the team. 

Elements of a 30-60-90 Day Plan

There are many different formats individuals can use to make their plans. Some elements that should be taken into consideration are:

1. Focus/Vision 

This is your general vision for each month on the job and what you want to focus on. This vision can vary based on the specific company and role.

Generally, the first 30 days are about learning, the second 30 are about contributing and executing tasks, and the last 30 are about taking charge and leading, whether with others or through your work. 

2. Priorities 

These are more detailed than your focus and outline specific priorities you have every month. While not as detailed as goals, priorities provide an overview of tasks for each month. 

For instance, it can be familiarizing yourself with the company's systems, performing your role with guidance, and executing your tasks independently. 

3. Goals 

Goals are the specific things you want to achieve every month. Goals are crafted based on your focus and priorities. They can be split into categories if that is helpful. 

Examples of categories you can have are: 

  • Learning goals: These goals revolve around picking up skills and knowledge that would help you succeed in your role. 

  • Performance goals: These goals focus on what you want to accomplish at the end of the 90 days in your new role. 

  • Personal goals: These goals are more about building relations within the company and making connections to help you better settle into the role. 

4. Metrics 

Each goal should have a realistic and appropriate metric for tracking progress. This will help you track your progress, make necessary adjustments, and assess if you have reached your goals. 

How to create a 30-60-90 day plan

Let's take a look below to check how we write the plan:

1. Days 1-30 

The first month on the job should focus on learning, training, and internalizing company norms. New employees should familiarize themselves with company systems, policies, and procedures, clients, products, software, etc. 

This time should also be taken to meet people in the company and get comfortable working with your team. Building a good rapport with your team is important in the beginning, as it can help ease the transition. 

The first month of learning can also include completing an orientation and participating in training sessions to familiarize oneself with the company. 

2. Days 31-60

After developing a strong grasp of the company and the environment in the first 30 days, the next 30 days should focus on working on more advanced tasks. These 30 days are about applying what you have learned during training and over the first 60 days. 

It is also the time to meet supervisors and get feedback on performance.

    Note

    You should continue to develop and nurture the relationships you’ve made in the first 30 days and continue to explore new ones.  

    3. Days 61-90 

    The final 30 days of the plan should show that you have grasped the role and are confident in your abilities to meet the expectations. 

    At this time, the employee should focus on taking charge of their work and making meaningful contributions to the team/company. 

    These contributions can be coming up with solutions and strategies to overcome the company's problems or performance issues. For instance, how to increase engagement. 

    Progressing from problem identification, the employee should focus on leading initiatives for change and fostering efficient collaboration with their team. 

    Tips for making a 30-60-90 Day Plan

    Some tips are:

    1. Be detailed: Detail is key. While making a 30-60-90 day plan, individuals should not be generic and add relevant details to the job. For example, the specific computer system they have to master, a certain procedure they have to adhere to, etc. Details set you apart from the competition when interviewing and can impress the hiring manager. It may be challenging to be very detailed if you are interviewing with the company, but try to be as specific as possible.
    2. Networking Strategy: Develop a plan for building professional relationships within and outside the organization. Identify key stakeholders, team members, and individuals in related departments, emphasizing collaboration.
    3. Personal Development Goals: Share your aspirations for personal growth within the organization. This could involve leadership training, cross-functional exposure, or acquiring new skills relevant to your role.
    4. Meet with the stakeholders: Stemming off asking questions, meeting with your team and coworkers is a good way to learn about internal processes, company culture, company expectations, and more. After having these conversations, you can revisit your plan and make revisions if necessary. 
    5. Set and use SMART Goals: S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. By using this structure, you will have complete and comprehensive goals. For example, if your goal is to increase engagement, a SMART goal could be, "Within the next 60 days, create a social media plan with five recommendations to increase engagement by 5%.
    6. Risk Mitigation: Anticipate potential challenges and outline proactive strategies for mitigating risks. This showcases your foresight and problem-solving abilities.

    Benefits Of A 30-60-90 Day Plan

    Creating and implementing a 30-60-90 Day Plan offers job seekers and employers several benefits. Some are:

    1. Clear Roadmap: Provides a structured roadmap for the new employee, outlining specific goals and tasks for the first 30, 60, and 90 days, fostering a smoother onboarding process.
    2. Measurable Objectives: Sets measurable and achievable objectives, allowing employees and employers to gauge progress and success within defined timeframes.
    3. Communication Tool: A communication tool between the employee and the employer fosters transparency and clarity regarding expectations and performance milestones.
    4. Engagement and Motivation: Boosts employee engagement and motivation by providing a sense of purpose and direction, leading to a more positive and focused work environment.
    5. Focused Prioritization: Helps prioritize tasks based on their importance and impact, ensuring that the new employee focuses on high-priority items early in their tenure.
    6. Performance Evaluation: Facilitates a more comprehensive performance evaluation at the end of the specified periods, allowing both the employee and the employer to assess achievements and areas for improvement.

      30-60-90 Day Plan Template

      Here is a potential template or structure you can follow when making your 30-60-90 day plan. You can write these in bullet form or sentences. 

      Day 1-30

      Focus: [Write your focus for the first month]

      Priorities: [Write your priorities for the first month] 

      Learning goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Performance goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Personal goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Day 31-60

      Focus: [Write your focus for the second month]

      Priorities: [Write your priorities for the second month] 

      Learning goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Performance goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Personal goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Day 61-90

      Focus: [Write your focus for the third month]

      Priorities: [Write your priorities for the third month] 

      Learning goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Performance goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Personal goals 

      1. Goal 1: [XXX]

      2. Goal 2: [XXX]

      3. Goal 3: [XXX]

      Making a 30-60-90 day for the first time can be daunting, but try to split it into digestible chunks and put your spin on it. 

      When starting your plan, key takeaways are to talk to important stakeholders and review your plan periodically to ensure you are on the right track. Furthermore, know why you are making the plan, whether for an interview or a job you are about to start. 

      Finally, don't worry too much about following the plan to a T; be flexible when necessary. 

      30-60-90 Day Plan Example

      Let's take a brief example to understand the above template better.

      Certainly! Here's an example of a 30-60-90 days plan template:

      Day 1-30

      Focus: Establish a strong foundation in the new role, understand team dynamics, and become familiar with key processes.

      Priorities:

      1. Build Relationships: Connect with team members, understand their roles, and establish open lines of communication
      2. Learn Processes: Gain a deep understanding of existing processes and workflows
      3. Set Up Goals: Define short-term deliverables and align them with team and organizational objectives

      Learning Goals:

      1. Understanding Company Culture: Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the company's values, mission, and culture
      2. Mastering Key Software: Become proficient in essential tools and software used within the team
      3. Product Knowledge: Gain in-depth knowledge of the company's products and services

      Performance Goals:

      1. Meet Deadlines: Consistently meet all deadlines for assigned tasks and projects
      2. Effective Communication: Improve communication skills within the team and ensure clarity in all interactions
      3. Quality Output: Strive for high-quality work, seeking feedback for continuous improvement

      Personal Goals:

      1. Work-Life Balance: Establish a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout
      2. Networking: Attend company events and initiate networking opportunities with colleagues
      3. Skill Enhancement: Identify one skill relevant to the role and actively work on improving it

      Day 31-60

      Focus: Take on more responsibilities, contribute actively to projects, and identify areas for process improvement.

      Priorities:

      1. Project Contribution: Actively contribute to ongoing projects, taking ownership of specific tasks
      2. Process Improvement: Identify and propose improvements to existing processes for increased efficiency
      3. Collaboration: Foster collaboration within the team and across departments

      Learning Goals:

      1. Advanced Training: Pursue additional training or workshops to enhance the skills required for the role
      2. Project Management: Develop a basic understanding of project management methodologies
      3. Industry Trends: Stay updated on industry trends and best practices

      Performance Goals:

      1. Leadership Skills: Take on a leadership role in at least one project or initiative
      2. Problem-Solving: Develop effective problem-solving skills and contribute solutions to team challenges
      3. Metrics and Measurement: Understand key performance metrics and work towards exceeding them

      Personal Goals:

      1. Professional Development: Seek mentorship or guidance for professional development
      2. Wellness Initiatives: Incorporate wellness activities into the routine for improved mental and physical health
      3. Networking Expansion: Expand professional network within the organization and industry

      Day 61-90

      Focus: Demonstrate significant contributions to team projects, actively seek feedback and prepare for long-term goals.

      Priorities:

      1. Leadership Contributions: Take a lead role in a major project or initiative within the team
      2. Long-Term Planning: Outline a plan for continued success and contribution in the role
      3. Feedback and Reflection: Seek feedback from peers and superiors and reflect on personal and professional growth

      Learning Goals:

      1. Advanced Skill Acquisition: Identify and acquire an advanced skill relevant to the role
      2. Cross-Functional Understanding: Gain a broader understanding of how different departments collaborate within the organization
      3. Leadership Training: Enroll in leadership training programs or workshops

      Performance Goals:

      1. Exceeding Targets: Consistently exceed performance targets and contribute to the team's overall success
      2. Team Impact: Demonstrate a positive impact on team dynamics and morale
      3. Continuous Improvement: Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives within the team

      Personal Goals:

      1. Career Development Plan: Outline a clear career development plan for the next 6-12 months
      2. Knowledge Sharing: Share knowledge and insights with colleagues for mutual growth
      3. Workplace Advocacy: Advocate for workplace initiatives that promote employee well-being and engagement

      Researched and authored by Pooja Patel | LinkedIn 

      Reviewed and edited by James Fazeli-Sinaki | LinkedIn

      Free Resources 

      To continue learning and advancing your career, check out these additional helpful WSO resources: